How Nze Na Ozo Umuchu Was Hijacked To Destabilize Igwe Umuchu & Take Over Throne – Ohamadike

CHUKA UBAH 

Emerging facts have shown how a group of people allegedly hijacked Supreme Council of Nze na Ozo in Umuchu town and turned it into a commercial business for the purpose of destabilizing the palace of Igwe Godson Ezechukwu in order to take over the throne while he is still alive. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the startling revelation was made by the Palace Public Relations Officer and Social Secretary of Igwe Umuchu in Council, Chief Emmanuel Obiagwu (Ohamadike Umuchu)..

Ohamadike Umuchu made the assertions while addressing the indigenes of Umuchu town over the lingering supremacy battle between the Indigenous Council and Supreme Council of Nze na Ozo Umuchu title. The battle, which has since moved from Umuchu to the Governor’s office in Awka following the conduct of the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Tonycollins Nwabunwanne.

Ohamadike in his address titled, “Commercialization Of Nze Na Ozo Umuchu: The Need To Stop Further Polarization Of the Town On Non Issue”, stated:

“My good people of Umuchu Alanso (Ihite, Amanasa and Okpu na Achalla Sections).

May I use this medium to break my silence on the rampaging issue of Nze na Ozo Umuchu, which has nearly thrown Umuchu into mockery and a town where some government officials and APGA leaders demonstrate power.

The story surrounding Nze na Ozo in Umuchu started close to four (4) years ago, when the former Chairman from Umugama village relinquished power to the present Chairman.

Going down memory lane, before the period mentioned above, there was no squabbles between Nze na Ozo  and the Cabinet Chiefs or any group/s in Umuchu.

Nze na Ozo within the period under review were known and recognized with red gown and trouser to match.

Suddenly within this period, the new leadership that took over from the Umugama man, changed their uniform to that of the Umuchu Cabinet Chiefs (white patari and blouse).

To drive home my point, it is the tradition of His Royal Highness Igwe G. O. Ezechukwu, using the occasion of Umuchu New Yam Festival to go round Nkwo Uchu market square with his Cabinet Chiefs, Ndi Ichie, Ndi Nze na Ozo and other Umuchu citizens, receiving goodwill messages from his subjects, which is almost the peak and remarkable part of the event signalling authority of the number one citizen.

The major problem of Nze na Ozo in Umuchu rose to a crescendo when the new Chairman of Nze na Ozo started the tradition of going round the Nkwo Uchu market square, receiving pleasantries as another traditional institution with equal powers with the traditional ruler of Umuchu.

At this point, one begins to wonder the ulterior motive of the leadership of Nze na Ozo Umuchu, which is not clearly far from forming two parallel Palaces in Umuchu town.

Fundamentally, the elders, the youth, the educated and uneducated in Umuchu know and have not failed to publicily affirm that Ozo is solely an Umunna (kindred) affair.

As initiation into Nze na Ozo being purely an Umunna affair, why then do we force people to join an association or club very different from the dictates of Nze na Ozo society against their wish?

It is absolutely optional for any person to join or not join Nze na Ozo at Umuchu level as a club, as one might decide to be operating his Ozoship within the Umunna where he was initiated.

*In Conclusion:

(1) Ozoship in Umuchu is not the development and peace Umuchu needs as a town.

(2) Ozoship in Umuchu should not be used as an instrument of fighting the traditional ruler of the town, by forming two parallel Palaces, and performing Igwe’s traditional rituals.

(3) Ozoship in Umuchu should not be used as instrument of an individual scheming to replace the Igwe Umuchu, when the Igwe is still alive and healthy and performing the duties of his office as Igwe.

(4) Selfish interests and hidden agenda by some individuals have made it difficult to listen to voice of reason.

(5) I advise people who see Nze na Ozo as a commercial adventure to realize that, tradition cannot be commercialized, else it is no longer a tradition but a business venture.

Finally, no empire rules forever. A wise man leaves the stage when the ovation is high. Since everyone knows that Ozo belongs to Umunna, please, people should stop unnecessarily polarizing the town.

Before I finally conclude this message, may I advise our Ihite brothers, who have been bought into the commercialisation of the institution to understand the main reason for hijacking the institution. It is simply for the purpose of destabilizing the Palace of Igwe G.O.Ezechukwu in readiness for using same to ascend the throne.

Thank you.

Chief Emmanuel Obiagwu

Ohamadike Umuchu.

PRO/Social Secretary Igwe In Council, Umuchu